First Person: Turning Clutter Into Cash

My husband and I didn't realize how much stuff we had accumulated until it was time to move four years ago. It's not like we were moving around the corner, either. We were moving from Ontario to the southeastern United States - over a thousand miles. Everything we owned had to fit into two pod-type containers.

Having a fixed amount of room really helped us to focus on what we really wanted to keep and what we could sell or give away. It was a monumental job but when it was done we had some extra money in our pocket and a lot less stuff to have to pack and unpack. If you decide that you want to de-clutter but don't know where to start, here are five ways to divest yourself of the stuff you no longer want:

Consider your collectibles

If you are planning on selling books in a yard sale or giving them to a thrift store, check them over for first editions. First editions of popular books often command a premium by collectors. Almost all valuable first editions will be hardcover and have a dust jacket. They may be marked as first edition on the publisher's page at the front of the book. If you are not certain, you can search for the book online or take it to a collectible book dealer. Collectible first editions should be sold separately on eBay or another collectibles online sales site.

Is that an antique?

Boxes of "old stuff" you inherited from a relative can be a goldmine! Take extra time to catalogue what you have. You may want to start with an informal valuation by an antique dealer to find hidden value. What's "old" to you may be priceless to a collector.

Found money

Don't forget about the clutter on your desk. Do you have a birthday card with $20 sitting in one of the piles? Is there a coupon for $10 off your next grocery purchase? What about notifications of maturing savings certificates or expiring big box store memberships? There may be a hundred dollars or more of value sitting on your messy desk that will evaporate if you don't organize.

Donate clothing to a charity thrift store

Used clothing in good condition can be sold at a yard sale or donated to a thrift store. The benefit of donation is that you will receive a tax receipt from the charity for the value of the donation. The IRS-acceptable values for clothing are almost always more than double what you can sell them for at a yard sale. That means that the cash value of the tax deduction is often higher than the cash you can get from the sale. And you don't have to sit out for hours and drag the remnants back in the house.

Send used goods to auction

The absolute fastest way to get the clutter out of your house is to send it to auction. Most auction houses will pick up used goods from your house and sell them at auction. You have no control over the selling price of your stuff but, on the bright side, none of it comes back to haunt you. And you get a check in the mail soon afterward.

More From This Contributor:
Four Convenience Fees to Avoid
Should You Use Cash or Debit Cards When Travelling?
Five Ways You Can Cut Your Expenses and Barely Notice